Shoe form



June 29, 1943.

A. F. LEVAGGI'I 2,323,228

SHOE FORM v Filed June 4, 1942 INVENTORJ HLEERT E LEVHGG/ ATTO/R/VEVSPatented June 29, 1943 SHOE FORM Albert F. Levaggi, Brockton, Mass,assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Robert Channing Company, East Bridgewater, Mass.,a corporation of Massachusetts Application June 4, 1942, Serial No.445,693

3 Claims. (Cl. 12128.1)

This invention relates to shoe forms and particularly to those having apivotal link or togglelike connection between a fore part or toe memberand a rear or shoe heel-interior contact member. Particularly my novelforms permit of an all wood, no metal basis of structure, of very greatimportance under present circumstances.

As illustrative of shoe forms according to my invention, I show anddescribe a characteristic example. It is of simple structure, economicalto manufacture, and very satisfactory in use. This showing is to beunderstood as illustrative and subject to modification within the termsof the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a general view of a shoe form in accordance with my invention,in collapsed condition as for entry into a shoe.

Fig. 2 indicates a longitudinal section through such a shoe in expandedcondition in relation to a shoe as suggested in broken lines.

Fig. 3 is a section on the indicated line 33, of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an indicated partial fragmentary section on the suggested line44, of Fig. 2.

Shoe forms in accordance with my invention each comprise a front memberor part I, a rear member or part 6, and a link or extension blade member3 pivotally connected to the members I and 6. The link or extensionblade member 3 and the member 6 establish a toggle that permits the shoeform to have various collapsed positions in which it may be easilyinserted into a shoe and to be extended into its operative position in ashoe to display, condition; or maintain the condition of a shoe normallyin use.

As one feature of my invention is that it provides a basis on which anefiicient, economical and attractive shoe form may be made without metalparts, I will describe it as an all wooden construction to emphasize itsstructural advantages.

The front member I may be considered as of contoured block originpreferably provided with a longitudinal slot l2 extending verticallythrough the member I thus affording ventilation. The rear face I of themember I is provided with a vertical kerf 2 extending from the upperpart of the rear face I through the bottom of the member l to connectwith the slot [2. The kerf 2 receives snugly the forward end 3 of theblade or link member 3 but permits the link member 3 as a whole freelyto pivot in it. The end 3* of the member 3 and the fore part I aretransversely apertured as at 3' to receive a pivotal interconnection,such as the dowel pint. The link or blade member 3 may be advantageouslymade of plywood or like stiffened stock, as indicated at P in Figs. 1and 4.

' Iform the rear member 6 with a slotted interior 9 open on the bottomandfront, as at 9' and 9 respectively.

The rear part 3 of the link or extension member 3 has, adjacent itsextremity, an aperture 3 to receive a pivot 8 entered through any one ofthe longitudinally disposed apertures I extending through the rearmember 6 and aligned transversely of the slot 9. I employ a plurality ofapertures l in order that the shoe form may be adjusted to fit anydesired shoe by changing the position of the pivot longitudinally withreference to the rear part 6. The pivot 8 may be a headed pin turnedfrom wood with its shank 8 having a friction fit in the apertures 1. Asshown in Fig. 4, the end of the pivot may be tapered as at 8 tofacilitate the centering and penetration of the link aperture 3 throughthe aperture 1 selected to establish the desired over-all length of theform.

The slotting of the rear part 6 leaves its rear end solid and the rearpart is externally shaped to establish a slightly curved verticalcontact area II] for the heel portion of the interior of a shoe tosustain the lining, counter and upper.

The rear part 6 constitutes a hand grip for guiding the form into a shoeand to facilitate this use of the rear part 6 I preferably form its topedge with a palm contacting curve I l terminating in a forwardlydisposed horn or grip I l to facilitate the toggling guidance of theform into or out of its operative position in a shoe.

My invention provides for attractive, inexpensive and efficient shoeforms that may be easily extended into its operative position orcollapsed by actuating the toggle established by the link or extensionmember 3 and the rear part 6. The forms may be easily adjusted to varytheir extended length and may obviously be made of other materials thanwood, if desired, when such other materials are available to theindustry.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A form to establish or maintain the desired condition of a shoe,comprising a solid contoured fore part having a vertical slot extendingfrom the upper surface of the instep area through the bottom surface andcontinued completely through its rear face, a rear part having a slotopen along its bottom and front faces, a link entrant of said slots andlaterally sustained therein against part having a slot in its rear, arear part having. a slot open along its bottom and front facesto.

define a longitudinally disposed bearing surface of substantial length,a link entrant of said slots,

a transverse pivot connecting the front end of said link to said forepart, said'rear parthaving a plurality of spaced transverse apertures incommunication with its slot and disposed in aline in parallel with saidbearing surface, a pivot disposable through any one of said apertures topivotally interconnect the rear end of saidlink and said rear part, saidlink andv said rear part constituting a toggle and said rear partincluding a portion disposed intermediate said pivot manually engageableto actuate said toggle into and out of a positionwherein said form isextended into shoe supporting position, the portion of said link withinsaid rear part slot having a surface in parallel and engageable withsaid bearing surface of said rear part when said form is in its operative position.

3. A shoe form comprising a contoured fore part having a slot in itsrear, a rear part having a slot open along its bottom and front faces todefine a pair of downwardly extending side walls and a bearing surface,a link entrant of said slots, a; transverse pivot connecting the frontend of said.link to said fore part, said walls of said rear part havinga plurality of spaced transversely alined apertures in communicationwith said rear part slot and disposed substantially in alinement withsaid pivot when said shoe form is in shoe supporting position, a pivotdisposable through any one of said apertures to pivotally interconnectthe rear end of said link and said rear part, said link and said rearpart constituting a toggle and said rear part including a portiondisposed intermediate said pivot manually engage able to actuate saidtoggle into and out of a position wherein said form is extended intoshoe supporting position.

ALBERT F. LEVAGGL.

